BackPack Program, ‘Walking Out Hunger’ team up locally Volunteer meeting set Tuesday

April 15, 2013

HEDGESVILLE - No one has to convince Jennifer Yeater that too many area children aren't getting enough to eat and are going hungry, especially on weekends and during school vacations when other resources aren't available to them.

As a parent and Berkeley County BackPack Program coordinator, Yeater knows from experience about this local need and - along with other concerned individuals - is already working to make a difference. Based on a concept that has become popular nationally, the local program - which provides groceries in nondescript backpacks for children to take home when school won't be in session- was launched in late 2010.

Hundreds of county school children have since been served by this nonprofit program, partially due to food received from the Feeding America Mountaineer Food Bank in Gassaway, as well as private donations from individuals and sponsorship by various churches, businesses, schools and the Town of Hedgesville.

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While volunteers are key to this continuing success, they are especially important now to help promote a new opportunity to help spread the word about hunger awareness and the importance of food banks, Yeater said.

That's because West Virginia native Tom Knopp, who recently kicked off his "Walking Out Hunger" campaign, will soon be in the Eastern Panhandle as he visits each of the state's 55 counties to bring attention to this issue, she said.

A meeting will be held Tuesday, at the Hedgesville Church, 6867 Hedgesville Road, 6:30 p.m., to discuss Knopp's upcoming visit and what is needed to facilitate his time locally, Yeater said.

"We are looking for groups to fundraise, groups to make food for this event and help out with various events the day of his walk here in Berkeley County," she said.

"We are looking for people who would like to help make his time in Berkeley County a success," Yeater said.

She said the meeting is open to the public. Individuals, churches and organizations wishing to donate or get involved in this event can also call Yeater, Berkeley County coordinator, at 304-279-2142 or email Berkcobpprogram@yahoo.com.

Knopp, who survived a 1990 diagnosis of terminal lymphoma and is now cancer free, later accepted a position as director of the Good Samaritan Center in Kenova, W.Va., where he has continued to work on behalf of the homeless and hungry.

Now 68 years old, Knopp's goal is to touch folks across the state by walking about 25 miles in each county - meeting folks along the way and spreading his hunger awareness message. His journey kicked off April 22 in Cabell County and will end June 24 in Wayne County.

He will be visiting Morgan County on May 23, followed by Berkeley County (May 24) and Jefferson County (May 25).

The goal is to raise $10,000 per county and all walk proceeds will go to the Huntington Area Food Bank or the Mountaineer Area Food Bank, according to his website, walkingouthunger.org.

"Today the need of the hungry is even greater and reaches across the entire state. I will walk six days a week for a total of 67 days to complete this venture. I wish to raise awareness and money in every one of West Virginia's 55 counties," the website reads.

"My daily routine will be to start from the county courthouse steps at 8:30 a.m. and walk in that county until 3 p.m. Then I will be taken to the next county where a speaking engagement will be planned. Each county has a coordinator who will have planned fundraising events during this walk," it continues. "I have big dreams for this event, with God all things are possible."

Additional information about the Berkeley County BackPack Program is available online, www.feedbcwvkids.org.